Why, that's brave,' cried Isaac, jumping up and slapping him on the

shoulder; 'and I respect you for having so much young blood left. Ha,

ha, ha! Joe Jowl's half sorry he advised you now. We've got the laugh

against him. Ha, ha, ha!'

'He gives me my revenge, mind,' said the old man, pointing to him

eagerly with his shrivelled hand: 'mind - he stakes coin against coin,

down to the last one in the box, be there many or few. Remember

that!'

I'm witness,' returned Isaac. 'I'll see fair between you.'

I have passed my word,' said Jowl with feigned reluctance, 'and I'll

keep it. When does this match come off? I wish it was over. - To-

night?'

'I must have the money first,' said the old man; 'and that I'll have to-

morrow - '

Why not to-night?' urged Jowl.

It's late now, and I should be flushed and flurried,' said the old man.

It must be softly done. No, to-morrow night.'

Then to-morrow be it,' said Jowl. 'A drop of comfort here. Luck to the

best man! Fill!' The gipsy produced three tin cups, and filled them to

the brim with brandy. The old man turned aside and muttered to

himself before he drank. Her own name struck upon the listener's ear,

coupled with some wish so fervent, that he seemed to breathe it in an

agony of supplication.

God be merciful to us!' cried the child within herself, 'and help us in

this trying hour! What shall I do to save him!'

The remainder of their conversation was carried on in a lower tone of

voice, and was sufficiently concise; relating merely to the execution of

the project, and the best precautions for diverting suspicion. The old

man then shook hands with his tempters, and withdrew.

They watched his bowed and stooping figure as it retreated slowly,

and when he turned his head to look back, which he often did, waved

their hands, or shouted some brief encouragement. It was not until

they had seen him gradually diminish into a mere speck upon the

distant road, that they turned to each other, and ventured to laugh

aloud.

The Old Curiosity Shop